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The 10th Submarine Flotilla was formed during the First World War. In January 1915 it was based on the Humber but by January 1917 it had relocated to the Tees.
During the Second World War it was formed at Malta in January 1941 and comprised Royal Navy and Polish Naval Force submarines assigned to the British Mediterranean Fleet based in Malta from early 1941.
The flotilla never numbered more than 12 submarines, but this small force between January 1941 and December 1942, sank 412,575 tons of Axis shipping.
On 24 May 1941 while assigned to the flotilla HMS ''Upholder'' attacked a convoy off the coast of Sicily and sank the 18,000 ton liner ''Conte Rosso''. ''Upholder''s captain, Lieutenant Commander
Second World War
The flotilla was initially composed of the U-class submarines including , , , , , , , , , , HMS P38 and HMS Ursula (N59) together with and of the Polish Navy The U-class had been designed for training crews rather than combat but their diving performance made them the best choice for operating in the clear waters of the Mediterranean where submarines could be easily seen by aircraft. The flotilla's base in Malta was the ancient fort on Manoel Island, in theMarsamxett Harbour
Marsamxett Harbour (), historically also referred to as Marsamuscetto, is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It is located to the north of the larger Grand Harbour. The harbour is generally more dedicated to leisure use than the Grand H ...
opposite Sliema
Sliema ( mt, Tas-Sliema ) is a town located on the northeast coast of Malta in the Northern Harbour District. It is a major residential and commercial area and a centre for shopping, bars, dining, and café life. It is also the most densely po ...
; this shore base was called HMS ''Talbot''. The Lazzaretto of Manoel Island formed part of the quarters for the crews
The submarine base at Manoel Island was a priority target for Axis aerial attacks and was heavily bombed in 1942 which forced a temporary withdrawal of the flotilla from Malta to Alexandria where the ships of the Mediterranean Fleet had already moved. During this relocation to Alexandria HMS ''Urge'' sank after striking a mine; there were no survivors.
The flotilla never numbered more than 12 submarines, but this small force between January 1941 and December 1942, sank 412,575 tons of Axis shipping.
On 24 May 1941 while assigned to the flotilla HMS ''Upholder'' attacked a convoy off the coast of Sicily and sank the 18,000 ton liner ''Conte Rosso''. ''Upholder''s captain, Lieutenant Commander Malcolm Wanklyn
Lieutenant Commander Malcolm David Wanklyn, (28 June 1911 – missing in action 14 April 1942) was a Royal Navy commander and one of the most successful submariners in the Western Allied navies during the Second World War. Wanklyn and his c ...
, was awarded the Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously ...
for both this and also for completing many successful patrols.
See also
* Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II * Siege of Malta (World War II) * 14th/17th Minesweeper Flotilla *Malta Convoys
The Malta convoys were Allied supply convoys of the Second World War. The convoys took place during the Siege of Malta in the Mediterranean Theatre. Malta was a base from which British sea and air forces could attack ships carrying supplies ...
References
{{reflist, 30em Submarine units and formations Royal Navy flotillas Military units and formations of the Royal Navy in World War II Malta in World War II